520 Pandemic Feature - v4 - FINAL - R2_Pages 5 / 6 / 20 4 : 10 PM Page 12 S O U T H J E R S E Y P U T S U P A F I G H T Melody Dias , a junior at Eastern Regional of members ’ faces in their usual spots in of them went out of their way to make this High School , the sanctuary pews so Getman could see was also surprised while quar - happen for me . ” their faces as he preached one last time . antining when she unexpectedly received “ Bill expressed sadness about preaching flowers from her boyfriend , Jonah Miller , Full of Surprises the last month of his ministry to an empty on April 17 — the day that was supposed to Members of First Presbyterian Church Had - room and I know how much people mean be her junior prom . But an even bigger sur - donfield thought they would be throwing to him , ” says Becky Bryan , an elder at the prise happened the next day . Pastor Bill Getman a big retirement party church who came up with the idea . “ I “ He [ Jonah ] apologized on the card that after his last day serving the church on thought for that last Sunday , being able to he couldn’t take me to prom , ” Dias recalls . April 26 , but since that couldn’t be an option look out at the faces of people he loves “ He asked if it was possible for us to take during this current time , they came up with would make a big difference . ” pictures together , which I couldn’t believe another idea — a retirement drive - by so “ I was overwhelmed with everything at first , but thought it would be so much members could give him as close to a proper that happened that day , ” Getman says . “ It fun . ” goodbye as they could . One hundred and was very affirming and very heartwarming . Dias did her hair and makeup , put on fifteen cars drove through the church’s park - The best part for me was the drive - by . At her prom dress and met Miller — in suit and ing lot — an estimated 250 - 300 people — to least from a safe distance I could watch tie — outside her parents ’ house for a social send off Getman and his wife , Sue . people . It was really wonderful and I’m distancing mock photo shoot . Both wore Members also surprised Getman by grateful for the people who went the extra masks and stood six feet apart from one putting a Happy Retirement sign on the mile to organize it all . ” another . front lawn , as well as placing printed photos “ My mom was just as excited , ” she says . PROM “ This is the first prom dress she ever bought DATES me ; I’d always used to wear her old dresses . MELODY DIAS AND [ Jonah’s willingness ] to take pictures so she JONAH could see her daughter in her own prom MILLER dress meant the world to her . “ I felt like Cinderella . It was so amazing to walk outside in your shoes and have your hair all done and to see your person standing there waiting for you at the end of the stair - n case . It’s almost every girl’s dream . ” SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 17 issue 2 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 41